Apparatus for strengthening the sparks of ignition for internal-combustion engines.



L. C. DAUCHER. APPARATUS FOR STRENGTHENING 'IIIE SPARKS 0F IGNITION FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

' APPLICATION FILED JULY 3. I9I4- 1 09,563. Patented Dec. 19, 1916.

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APPARATUS FOR STRENGTHENING THE SPARKS 0F IGNITION FOR INTERNAL- COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filedluly 3, 1914. Serial No. 848,819.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Loo'rs CHARLES DAUGHTER, a citizen of the French Republic, and residing at Suresnes, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Strengthening the Sparks of Ignition for Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

The subject matter of my invention is an apparatus for strengthening the spark of spark plugs in internal combustion engines.

This is obtained by connecting a condenser in parallel to the spark gap. Practical tests have proved that in this way it is possible to essentially strengthen the spark of spark plugs, because the condenser increases the energy of the electric current. Such cumulative method can be applied to all kinds of spark plugs. It is particularly advantageous for raising the action of certain controlling devices, the construction of which is as follows.

The apparatus is equipped with two auxiliary spark gaps for the spark gap of each cylinder, the auxiliary gaps being arranged in parallel to the general spark gaps, and are of different or various size, and have the advantage that the sparking over at these visibly arranged auxiliary gaps permits'an exact control of the working of the corresponding plug. In order to make these controlling spark gaps more active a condenser is provided connecting the medium contact bar of the auxiliary spark gap to the machine body.

- Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings represent diagrams of two modes of execution of this invention.

The high tension current, which maybe supplied for example by a megneto-generator, flows in usual manner over a distributer, of which the distributing segment D is represented in Fig. 1 of the drawing, and then over the line F to the spark plug B.

In the present invention a condenser K is provided for each spark plug, and may be constructed in the usual manner. It is connected on one hand to the spark plug B by the line L and on the other hand connected to the body return wire. The application of the condenser K raises the intensity of current for the high tension current to such a degree that an extremely strong spark is produced.

As I have stated before my invention can also be used for strengthening the action of ignition controlling devices. The equipment of such an apparatus as applied to a four cyhnder internal combustion engine (cylinders I, II, III. IV) is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. Ignition is obtained in the said cylinders by means of the spark plugs B, B B B, the high tension current belng supplied .in the usual manner by .the magneto device or induction coil over a distributer D. This distributer comprises brushes D, D D and D corresponding to the number of plugs and connected with the plugs by the Wires F, F F and Ft According to my invention I branch 0E from these wires tappings f, f f and 7, which together with a common return wire f are attached to theframe of the engine. These branches f, f f', f lead to two spark-gaps 1, 2, 3 and 4 and 1 2 3 and 4*, their middle point or pole 1", 2", 3 4 being connected to condensers K, K K K by the wires 21, 22, 23, 24. The other pole of the. condenser is lying in the end of the engine.

The action of the apparatus is such that on account of a small static charge small sparks are produced at the'spark gaps 1, 2, 3, 4 when the corresponding spark plugs ignite normally, while no sparks pass across the spark gaps 1 2 3 4 As soon as a plug is very dirty and the passage of current is thereby disturbed, sparks are produced at both spark-gaps, as the entire igniting current is now obliged to pass through the controlling circle, while when a short circuit occurs in a plug no spark will be produced at the controlling or supervising spark-gaps. On account of the utilized condensers 7:, 7:9, 72, k the sparks will become so strong at the spark-gaps 1, 2, 3, 4, and 1 2 3 P that the working of the controlling apparatus can be noticed at considerable distance.

I claim: Y

1. In combination with an electric circuit, a main spark gap, and a condenser and a plurality of auxiliary spark gaps in shunt with said main spark gap circuit.

2. In combination with an electric. circuit, a primary spark gap in said circuit, a shunt from said circuit, a plurality of spark gaps in said shunt circuit arranged in parallel with said primary spark gap.

Patented Dec. 19, 1916.2

3. In combination with an electric circuit, a spark gap in said circuit, and a condenser in parallel with said spark gap; with auxiliary spark gaps in parallel with said first mentioned spark gap substantially as described.

4. In combination with an electric circuit,

10 iary spark gaps arranged in parallel with said first mentioned spark gap, said auxiliary spark gaps being of Various size and variably arranged, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS C. DAUCHER. Witnesses:

HENRY HAsPER, WOLDEMAR HAUPT. 

